When we started raising rabbits and were still figuring things out, we had an adult doe (female rabbit) exhibit bladder sludge (urine that is so full of calcium salts it is thick like a paste).
We immediately searched for solutions and were able to alter her diet appropriately, naturally lowering her calcium intake without causing more damage to her kidneys or urinary system.
Since then, we have been diligent in monitoring the quantity of calcium that our rabbits eat, offering them low calcium vegetation and vegetables regularly.
This post will highlight some of the most important information regarding calcium in rabbits that we have learned due to our experience raising rabbits, as well as the top reasons why low calcium foods are best for rabbits and the natural factors that make high calcium diets a no-go.
Calcium For Rabbits
Calcium is a mineral that is essential for building strong bones and teeth (necessary for rabbits as their teeth never stop growing!) and is crucial for the proper growth and development of immature rabbits. In addition, calcium is a primary factor in blood clotting and other immune and nervous responses!
But for rabbits, there is a fine line between sufficient calcium and too much calcium.
If rabbits ingest too much calcium they can suffer from kidney failure, bladder sludge, and other serious urinary system issues.
In fact, hypercalcaemia (too much calcium ) is more common than hypocalcaemia (too little calcium) in rabbits.
How Rabbits Digest Calcium
Unlike other mammals who absorb ONLY needed calcium in the digestive system and then excrete any excess through the colon and feces, rabbits absorb ALL ingested calcium in their digestive system and excrete any excess through the kidney and urinary system.
This is why rabbit urine naturally contains some calcium salts and why too much calcium in their diet leads to deadly kidney and urinary issues.
Because ALL calcium is absorbed in the digestive system, monitoring the diet of your homestead or pet rabbit by providing them with low calcium foods and vegetables is the best way to limit risk of calcium overload.
Since hydrating with Water is so important for your rabbit you may be interested in reading:
Rabbit Health – Can My Rabbit Drink From A Bowl?
Best Rabbit Diet: Low Calcium Foods For Rabbits
Throughout the majority of your rabbit’s life they do not need to eat foods high in calcium.
For example, a typical adult rabbit (about 2.5 kg) only needs about 510 mg of calcium per day.
This amount of calcium is easily sourced from a few ounces of pellet feed or fresh herbs and greens.
As such, it is important to know which low calcium food options are available for rabbits. This way, you can safely diversify their diet while also enriching it!
Below are our tried and true suggestions for low calcium veg for rabbits:
- Oat Hay – oat hay is lower in calcium than meadow hay and is a great hay alternative for both immature and adult rabbits.
- Wheat Hay – wheat hay has one of the lowest calcium contents of all types of hay, although note this hay is also lower in fiber!
- Fresh Herbs – there are a number of herbs that are low in calcium that can provide other great nutrients and minerals to your rabbits, for example:
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Vegetables -what vegetables have low calcium? Here are a few great options for rabbits:
- Rabbit Pellets – you can offer your adult rabbits one-quarter cup to each 6 pounds of rabbit body weight of non-alfalfa pellets each day without fear of calcium overload.
- Fruits – rabbits can eat low calcium fruits as treats and dietary supplements, including:
It is worth nothing that we have had the most success (health, happiness, and longevity) with our rabbits when we stick to offering them a diet of:
Unlimited hay (75-80% of total diet)
Non-alfalfa pellets (20% of total diet)
Leafy green vegetables (5-15% of total diet)
Fruit or other treats (0-5% of total diet)
This balance and mix of foods has ensured that our rabbits are happy and free of bladder sludge, kidney stones, and other hypercalcaemia symptoms.
What Foods Are High In Calcium For Rabbits
Be aware that many greens and veg are high in calcium, such as cabbage, oregano, and wheatgrass. These foods can be offered to your rabbit but in infrequent and measured amounts!
When To Feed Your Rabbit a High Calcium Diet
There are two exceptions when feeding your rabbit a higher calcium diet is appropriate.
The first is with young, immature rabbits and the second is with lactating does.
Both young rabbits and lactating does require more daily calcium than other rabbits.
High Calcium For Immature Rabbits
From 8 weeks to 6 months of age, rapidly developing and growing young rabbits require measured amounts of high calcium foods, such as alfalfa pellets.
How much is just right? Read our post on how much pellets for young rabbits for our best practices.
High Calcium For Lactating Does
Nursing does require more calcium because they are providing their kits with nutrient and calcium rich milk (again, calcium is essential to proper growth and development!)
Offering your nursing doe fresh alfalfa or alfalfa pellets is an effective way to provide her with a higher amount calcium and is our common practice with all of our nursing mothers.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To How To Reduce Calcium In Rabbits
Which Hay Is Lowest in Calcium?
Wheat hay is the hay lowest in calcium.
To compare the calcium, fiber, and protein content of different hays for rabbits, check out the table in our post on how much hay to feed a rabbit.
What Are The Signs of Urinary Issues In Rabbits?
The common signs of urinary issues in rabbits include:
- Cloudy, brown or dark urine
- Hunching while urinating
- Bladder sludge
- Frequent, strained, and/or painful urination
- Blood in the urine
Final Thoughts on Low Calcium Vegetables For Rabbits
Here are the most important facts to remember about low calcium foods or rabbits:
- Calcium is an essential mineral for rabbits that supports growth and development, strong bones and teeth, and immune system function.
- Because of their unique physiology, rabbits are at great risk of urinary tract issues if they ingest too much calcium.
- Regulating your rabbit’s diet is the best way to avoid hypercalcaemia.
- Offering your bunnies unlimited hay and measured amounts of low calcium greens, veggies and fruits will keep them happy and healthy.
- Immature rabbits and nursing does require more calcium than other rabbits, and they can be fed foods higher in calcium, such as alfalfa pellets.
Without doubt, you can find the right balance of low calcium food for your bunnies.
Remember to always observe and note their behavioral and bodily responses to different foods and more; we have often found that our rabbits lead us to the solution, not the other way around!
Check this video out for a great rundown on bladder sludge and calcium salts in rabbit’s urinary tracts